Fuel cell cathode air filters: Methodologies for design and optimization

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells experience performance degradation, such as reduction in efficiency and life, as a result of poisoning of platinum catalysts by airborne contaminants. Research on these contaminant effects suggests that the best possible solution to allowing fuel cells to operate in contaminated environments is by filtration of the harmful contaminants from the cathode air. A cathode air filter design methodology was created that connects properties of cathode air stream, filter design options, and filter footprint, to a set of adsorptive filter parameters that must be optimized to efficiently operate the fuel cell. Filter optimization requires a study of the trade off between two causal factors of power loss: first, a reduction in power production due to poisoning of the platinum catalyst by chemical contaminants and second, an increase in power requirements to operate the air compressor with a larger pressure drop from additional contaminant filtration. The design methodology was successfully applied to a 1.2 kW fuel cell using a programmable algorithm and predictions were made about the relationships between inlet concentration, breakthrough time, filter design, pressure drop, and compressor power requirements.     

Numerical simulation of air flow field in high-pressure fan with splitter blades

For a deeper understanding of the flow characteristics in the high-pressure centrifugal blower of a fan of Model 9-26 with splitter blades, a three dimensional (3-D) numerical simulation of air flows in the fan was conducted with FLUENT software. The standard k-? turbulent model and unstructured grids were used. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) results showed that the performance of a fan could be improved by adding the splitter blades in the channel among the leaf blades. Under operational conditions, with the presence of splitter blades, the air flow rate of the fan increased about 5% and the total pressure at the outlet of the fan increased about 10% on average. It was also found that the length of the splitter blades affected the air flow and pressure drop. There is an optimal value for the length. The simulation results provide helpful information for improving the fan performance.     

Optimal mixed convection for maximal energy recovery with vertical porous channel (solar wall)

A vertical open-ended channel filled with a porous medium, with an imposed heat flux and a heat loss coefficient on one of its walls, is studied numerically. A fan can enhance the self-driven flow, and therefore a mixed convection regime is considered. The objective is to maximize the overall energy recovery (heat transfer to the fluid minus fan power). Correlations are developed for optimal pressure drop to be imposed by the fan and maximal energy recovery, as a function of the Rayleigh number, the channel aspect ratio, and the heat loss coefficient. The optimal allocation of the total energy losses (i.e., sum of the heat loss and fan power) is shown. Potential applications include solar wall and solar chimney used for ventilation and preheating of makeup air in buildings.     

Theoretical model to estimate the thermal performance of an evaporative wind tower placed in an open space

A theoretical model to evaluate the thermal performance of an evaporative wind tower installed in open spaces with hot and dry climates has been developed. It was based on the laws of conservation of mass and energy and used TRNSYS as a simulation tool. Evaporative wind towers produce an adiabatic cooling which has been modelled taking into account all the heat and mass exchanges between the airflow and the injected water, and also considering the processes of radiation, convection and conduction. The system analyzed has a special design based on an existing installation placed in Madrid, which is composed of sixteen evaporative wind towers with one fan and six nozzles on the top of each one. A first validation of this theoretical model was done by comparing calculated results obtained through numerical simulation with experimental data. These last data were previously registered in a campaign carried out during the summer 2008 to evaluate the thermal behaviour of the system. To contrast both results, the same initial assumptions in fan and water operation as well as environmental conditions were considered. The comparison between them during the period of 18th to 20th July 2008, show an average temperature drop of 6.5 °C and an average increase of relative humidity of 27%. These values present a high correlation, up to 0.79, between experimental and calculated wet bulb depression. The average cooling power achieved by this system varies from 13 to 16 kW, with maximum peaks around 20 kW. So this theoretical model could be used for future energy estimations of wind towers design with similar constructive characteristics.     

Numerical simulation of air flow field in high-pressure fan with splitter blades

For a deeper understanding of the flow characteristics in the high-pressure centrifugal blower of a fan of Model 9–26 with splitter blades, a three dimensional (3-D) numerical simulation of air flows in the fan was conducted with FLUENT software. The standard k-ε turbulent model and unstructured grids were used. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) results showed that the performance of a fan could be improved by adding the splitter blades in the channel among the leaf blades. Under operational conditions, with the presence of splitter blades, the air flow rate of the fan increased about 5% and the total pressure at the outlet of the fan increased about 10% on average. It was also found that the length of the splitter blades affected the air flow and pressure drop. There is an optimal value for the length. The simulation results provide helpful information for improving the fan performance. __________ Translated from Fluid Machinery, 2007, 35(10): 29–32 [译自:流体机械]     

Effect of ventilation strategies on air contaminant concentrations and energy consumption in buildings

Considering the diversity of indoor contaminant characteristics and generation patterns, finding an appropriate ventilation strategy that can secure acceptable indoor air quality with minimum energy consumption is a challenging task for HVAC system designers and operators. This study theoretically models and investigates the impact of various ventilation strategies on contaminant concentration behaviour and corresponding ventilation cooling energy requirements for a single‐zone enclosure. Two types of contaminants are considered; carbon dioxide as an occupancy dependent and formaldehyde, which is independent of occupancy. An airflow model is used to predict space pressure and air leakage rates across the enclosure envelope, and an air quality model is used to predict time‐varying contaminant concentrations. In addition, a building energy simulation model is utilized to predict the corresponding ventilation cooling energy requirements under hot climatic conditions. Results from this study show that acceptable contaminant concentrations during occupied periods can be achieved by different ventilation strategies but at substantially different ventilation energy requirements. More than 50 per cent reduction in ventilation energy requirements can be obtained while maintaining acceptable IAQ if proper ventilation strategy is employed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

1000MW直接空冷机组风机运行研究

针对某1 000MW直接空冷机组,基于η-NTU法,建立了直接空冷机组变工况数学模型。通过考虑排汽管道压降及机组对环境散热量等因素,得到机组凝汽器压力与风机风量间关系曲线,分析了在一定凝汽器压力下风机运行所需风量和风机运行频率对机组的影响,为空冷机组的经济运行提供参考。     

Optimizing efficiency and productivity of a dehumidifier batch dryer. Part 1: capacity and airflow

A whole dryer model has been used to investigate the influence of the system design on the efficiency and productivity of a batch‐type dehumidifier dryer. The product is an easy‐to‐dry timber, Pinus radiata. The model, which has been validated at both the dryer and dehumidifier levels, includes sub‐models for the whole dryer energy balance, control of preheating, temperature and relative humidity, and the airflow system. The dynamic response of the system is illustrated and the influence of the dehumidifier capacity and the kiln airflow rate on the dryer performance is established. The effect of varying the airflow system losses is also determined. On the whole, drying speed and operating income increase with the dehumidifier capacity and the kiln airflow rate. The energy used by the dryer in a complete drying cycle is strongly influenced by the fan power requirements, and the airflow system losses have a significant adverse effect on the operating income. The results demonstrate the importance of balancing the dehumidifier and the airflow system losses in order to obtain an optimum combination of drying speed and energy efficiency. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

EVALUATION OF PERFORATED PLATE SOLAR AIR HEATER

Perforated plates had been successfully used in recent years to achieve high heat transfer coefficient from the absorber plate to the flowing air stream in solar air heaters. Since pumping pressure to maintain a particular flow in the solar air heater utilizing this type of absorber has significant influence on collected energy, so the design of perforated plate configuration must be based on the net energy gained from that collector which is the difference between energy collected and energy paid to overcome pumping pressure. A mathematical model had been constructed and validated experimentally for perforated plate solar air heater to study the effect of plate configurations and airflow rate on both energy gained and pressure loss. The results show that, the flow rate of air and plate configurations have a great effect on net energy gained from the air heater. The results also show that a plate of certain configurations operates most efficiently at certain flow rate and more than one configurations can give optimum value of net energy gained for a particular flow rate.     

空气分级切向燃烧锅炉炉膛配风优化模型

为实现空气分级低NOx燃烧锅炉主燃烧区过剩空气系数的在线监控,提高该类燃烧系统的运行水平,以二次风挡板作为一次元件,利用二次风箱到炉膛出口的压降模型对二次风喷嘴的空气流量进行测量;在此基础上,根据锅炉冷热态试验数据,综合考虑颗粒燃烬、NOx排放量以及风机输送电耗等因素,建立空气分级低NOx燃烧锅炉炉内风粉分布的优化模型,在给定燃料喷嘴运行方式和炉膛出口过剩空气系数的条件下,对二次风挡板开度进行优化。一台300 MW锅炉的应用表明,炉膛配风优化后,烟气NOx排放和颗粒燃尽度得到良好协调,且在保证NOx排放量为255 mg/m~3的情况下,优化后风箱-炉膛差压降低191 Pa,减少了风机电耗。     

Simulation of ambient-air drying of rapeseed: I. Development of drying process model and feasibility study

The feasibility of ambient air drying of oilseed rape is evaluated employing the modified, low-temperature, Morey equilibrium drying model. The two types of strategies of continuous fan, or fan on when relative humidity is at ≤70%, are used with both the hourly weather data of 1968, 1971 and 1974 and average hourly weather data for 1960 to 1980. The three harvesting dates of 10 and 25 February and 10 March were used for the simulations. Complete drying down to the safe moisture content of 10% (w.b.) has been achieved for rapeseed of up to 18% (d.b.) using all the airflow rates, moisture contents and weather data years. It has been shown that a substantial energy saving is possible by using the strategy of switching the fan on when relative humidity is at ≤70%.     

Ventilation rates of micro-climate air annulus of the clothing-skin system under periodic motion

A novel three-dimensional dynamic model is developed from first principles of mass and energy conservation of the modulated internal airflow in the variable annulus size between the clothing and the skin surface in presence of clothing apertures. The developed model solves for the flow and heat transfer problem in a finite length cylindrical annulus where the inner cylinder is oscillating within an outer fixed cylinder of porous fabric boundary. The changing annulus size induces pressure variations that cause air flow in the angular and the radial directions. In addition, axial airflow is present due to clothing open aperture to the atmosphere at one end of the annulus (sleeve or neck opening). The axial and angular flows in the trapped air layer are assumed locally governed by Womersley solution of time-periodic laminar flow in a plane channel in each direction. The 3-D model predicted the ventilation radial airflow through the fabric, the angular and axial airflow induced by the motion of the inner cylinder, and the sensible and latent heat losses from the skin due to ventilation with the presence of an open or closed aperture. Experiments were conducted using tracer gas method to measure time and space-averaged air ventilation rates induced by inner cylinder periodic motion within a fabric cylindrical sleeve at spacing amplitude ratio with respect to the mean of 0.8 for both closed and open aperture cases.The ventilation rates within the annulus predicted by the 3-D model agreed well with experimental data at higher frequencies. For closed aperture situation at an amplitude ratio of 0.8, the mean percentage errors of the measurements compared with the predicted values of the model were 52%, 27.5% and 6.7% corresponding to the frequencies of 30 rpm, 40 rpm, and 60 rpm, respectively. Measured ventilation rates for open aperture agreed well with predicted ventilation rates at high frequencies giving lower values of total air renewal than the closed aperture results where the measured reductions in total ventilation rate compared to closed aperture were 8.5% and 14.3% corresponding to the frequencies of 40 rpm and 60 rpm, respectively. In addition, the model results showed that under walking conditions, a permeable clothing system with an open aperture reduced the heat loss from the skin by less than 1% when compared to the closed aperture clothing system. These results are consistent with previously published empirical data on air layer resistance for open and closed aperture of high air permeable fabric.     

Thermal performance and pressure drop of rock beds with large storage materials

In air-based solar heating systems, the fan power needed to overcome friction loss in rock beds can reduce the benefit of the system. The system performance of rock beds with large-sized storage materials that have comparably low friction loss is studied. A theoretical model of the heat transfer process within the rock bed is developed for large storage materials. In this model, the temperature within the materials is assumed to be distributed quadratically and symmetrically at their center. The relationship between the model parameter and the air flow rate was derived from experimental measurements for some large materials as well as the pressure drop through the bed. The energy performance of heat pump solar systems with rock beds of various storage materials are studied by the computer simulation under Japanese winter weather conditions. It is concluded that the possibility exists for some large-sized storage materials to have almost the same performance as small-sized materials for heat pump solar systems.     

带有冷气掺混的三级透平气动性能数值研究

借助NUMECA数值仿真软件,以某型燃气轮机的三级透平作为计算模型,对其在冷却气体掺混前后的流场进行了数值模拟。考虑到工质物性的影响,采用了变比热高温燃气作为计算工质。同时,针对燃气轮机透平进口的变工况问题,选取不同的透平进口总压值进行数值计算。结果表明,冷却气体的加入使得级损失增大,每列叶片流道出口速度或相对速度减小,下游叶片进口气流角减小;在三级透平冷气掺混时改变进口总压值,每列叶片流道的进口气流角几乎不变,除第三级动叶的激波损失与尾迹损失增大外,其余叶片流道的能量损失变化不明显。     

Energy conservation in compressed‐air systems

In this paper, we evaluate and quantify the energy losses associated with compressed‐air systems, and their costs to manufacturers. We also show how to reduce the cost of compressed air in existing facilities by making some modifications with attractive payback periods. Among the measures, we investigate to reduce the compressed air are: (1) repairing air leaks, (2) installing high‐efficiency motors, (3) reducing the average air inlet temperature by using outside air (4) reducing compressor air pressure. We also illustrate the potential saving associated with each measure by using realistic examples. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

气冷涡轮转子变叶尖间距性能试验及数值研究

为量化评估工程应用的气冷低压涡轮带冠转子叶片的叶尖间距大小对涡轮气动性能的影响,综合现有涡轮部件试验能力,以单级轴流低压涡轮性能试验件为基础,通过控制圆度的机加方式磨削转子外环内壁以实现叶尖间距的变化,采用控制冷气流量比的方法,开展5次不同叶尖间距大小的涡轮级性能试验,得到多工况下涡轮效率、换算流量和换算功率等特性参数。采用加载冷气及考虑转子叶冠结构的数值模型进行三维仿真计算,并与试验结果对比分析。研究表明：叶尖间距由0.6 mm增加至3.2 mm,低压涡轮流通能力增大1%,叶冠泄漏量增多3.4%,但做功能力下降2.3%。涡轮效率变化与叶尖间距大小近似呈线性关系,叶尖间距每增加1 mm,效率约降低0.7%,同时,叶尖间距的增加导致了叶冠腔的旋涡结构、气流掺混及主流入侵强度逐渐增大,引起动叶总压损失的增大,叶尖间距增加至3.2 mm导致叶间位置总压损失由0.88增至2.3。     

CFD evaluation of pressure drop across a 3-D filter housing for industrial gas turbine plants

This paper investigated the flow distribution and total pressure drop across a designed 3-D filter housing integrated with a 3-stage filtration system using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The filter housing model was proposed for a heavy-duty industrial gas turbine plant operating at an average ambient temperature of 20°C.The pressure drops across the classes of filters were 652.8 Pa, 2692.2 Pa, 887.8 Pa, 776.2 Pa and 2304.2 Pa for I-GB, GB-GA, GA-FA, FA-HA, and HA-O, respectively. The results obtained indicated an acceptable total pressure drop of 7.2% for the entire filter housing before filter clean-up. Although the CFD simulation result shows that small outlet flow velocity and transonic flows exist at the outlet of the filter housing, the designed filter housing was proved compatible with the studied GT, for inlet flow conditions between 600≤W _air≤610 kg/s and 60≤v _air≤70 m/s for the air flow rate and velocity, respectively. Furthermore, the designed filter housing could be adopted for the studied GT and locations of Usan and Maiduguri in Nigeria, and other locations with similar environmental conditions.     

Solar assisted heat pump on air collectors: A simulation tool

The heating system of the bioclimatic building of the Greek National Centre for Renewable Energy Sources (CRES) comprises two heating plants: the first one includes an air source heat pump, Solar Air Collectors (SACs) and a heat distribution system (comprising a fan coil unit network); the second one is, mainly, a geothermal heat pump unit to cover the ground floor thermal needs. The SAC configuration as well as the fraction of the building heating load covered by the heating plant are assessed in two operation modes; the direct (hot air from the collectors is supplied directly to the heated space) and the indirect mode (warm air from the SAC or its mixture with ambient air is not supplied directly to the heated space but indirectly into the evaporator of the air source heat pump). The technique of the indirect mode of heating aims at maximizing the efficiency of the SAC, saving electrical power consumed by the compressor of the heat pump, and therefore, at optimizing the coefficient of performance (COP) of the heat pump due to the increased intake of ambient thermal energy by means of the SAC. Results are given for three research objectives: assessment of the heat pump efficiency whether in direct or indirect heating mode; Assessment of the overall heating plant efficiency on a daily or hourly basis; Assessment of the credibility of the suggested simulation model TSAGAIR by comparing its results with the TRNSYS ones.     

Field study of various air based photovoltaic/thermal hybrid solar collectors

In the present work a comparative study for thermal and electrical performance of different hybrid photovoltaic/thermal collectors designs for Iraq climate conditions have been carried out. Four different types of air based hybrid PV/T collectors have been manufactured and tested. Three collectors consist of four main parts namely, channel duct, glass cover, axial fan to circulate air and two PV panels in parallel connection. The measured parameters are, the temperature of the upper and the lower surfaces of the PV panels, air temperature along the collector, air flow rate, pressure drop, power produced by solar cell, and climate conditions such as wind speed, solar radiation and ambient temperature. The thermal and hydraulic performances of PV/T collector model IV have been analyzed theoretically based on energy balance. A Matlab computer program has been developed to solve the proposed mathematical model.The obtained results show that the combined efficiency of collector model III (double duct, single pass) is higher than that of model II (single duct double pass) and model IV (single duct single pass). Model IV has the better electrical efficiency. The pressure drop of model III is lower than that of models II and IV. The root mean square of percentage deviations for PV outlet temperature, and thermal efficiency of model IV are found to be 3.22%, and 18.04% respectively. The calculated linear coefficients of correlation (r) are 0.977, 0.965 respectively.     

Performance investigation of a novel near-isothermal compressed air energy storage system with stable power output

As one of the grid-scale energy storage technologies, compressed air energy storage (CAES) is promising to facilitate the permeability of renewable energies. By integrating CAES into renewable sources, the fluctuation and intermittence of renewable energies could be effectively restrained. Among various CAES system configurations, isothermal CAES (I-CAES) is considered as a most competitive technology with expected high efficiency. However, most of the existing I-CAES systems have trouble in keeping a stable power output. To address this issue, a novel near-isothermal CAES system is proposed in this article to acquire a near stable power output. Imitating the concept of hydraulic accumulator, a two pressure vessels structure is employed to maintain the gas pressure stable during discharging. Besides, the turbine power output can be controlled by adjusting the liquid flow rate of the Pelton turbine under this near constant pressure condition. Based on the system transient model and economic model, the system components transient behavior, parametric analysis, off-design performance analysis and economic evaluation issues are also conducted. Results show that system round trip efficiency (RTE) with 61.42% and energy density (ED) with 0.2015 kWh/m³ can be achieved under design condition. In the discharge process, the gas pressure in vessel varies in a small range, from 68 to 72 bar, which is relatively stable. The power output from Pelton turbine can be maintained around 1 kW. Meanwhile, the initial pressure, the pipe diameter, and the spraying flow rates of circulating pumps have significant effects on system RTE and ED. Furthermore, the Pelton turbine power output level can be adjusted by adding jets number, and the higher storage pressure can make the power output unsteady.